"The trip was so very wonderful - a life-altering experience"
Rhonda, USA.
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Vietnam
Vietnam is an exciting, vibrant, culturally rich country, with spectacular natural environments. Wander the fascinating maze of Hanoi's ‘Old Quarter', meet the unique and enchanting highland peoples of the north, cruise the twisting arms of Halong Bay, bask in the historical charms of Hue and alluring Hoi An with its myriad silk tailors, explore Saigon's chaotic districts and markets, and take an insightful day trip to the Mekong Delta.
| Date & Duration: |
4th-21st February 2009 - 18 days |
| Cost: |
£1,800 / NZ$4,500 / US$3,700 - What's included? |
| Arrival & Departure points: |
Hanoi/Saigon |
| Group size: |
min 6, max 12 |
| Accommodation: |
hotels, junk, overnight train |
| Meals not included: |
3 lunches, 4 dinners |
| Adventures: |
hiking, sea kayaking |
Vietnam Tour Highlights
- Meeting the fascinating and diverse highland peoples of northern Vietnam
- Visiting villages and markets in northern Vietnam
- Taking a day hike into Sapa Valley with the option of an overnight stay in a highland village
- Cruising stunning Halong Bay visiting floating villages and secluded beaches from our live-aboard ‘junk'
- A morning sea kayaking Halong Bay's tranquil waters exploring caves and lagoons
- Exploring Hanoi's fascinating 'Old Quarter'; visiting Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum; watching the intriguing art form of water puppetry
- Moto-tour of Hue's historic pagodas and palaces
- Soaking up the ambience in the World Heritage town of Hoi An – historic buildings, silks and textiles, artisans
- Vietnamese cuisine – half day cooking course in Hoi An
- Markets and museums in Saigon
- Morning excursion to the infamous Cu Chi tunnels
- Fascinating Mekong Delta day trip
Vietnam Itinerary
Day 1
Hanoi – Lao Cai
Our Vietnam experience begins in Hanoi’s fascinating ‘Old Quarter’. On arrival, you’ll check into our hotel and have free time to freshen up and rest, or wander down to Hoan Kiem lake for coffee, patisseries and people watching on the lake front.
We’ll enjoy a delicious dinner together at one of Hanoi’s contemporary French-inspired cafes, before returning to our hotel to check-out and board the overnight train for our journey north, to Lao Cai.
The sleeping berths on the train are comfortable and the motion is sure to lull you into a deep and reviving sleep.
Meals - D
Day 2 Lao Cai - Sapa
From Lao Cai we travel up into the hills to the lofty town of Sapa. Once a resort for French colonialists escaping Hanoi’s summer heat, Sapa is now a centre for highland people to trade their goods, and is the best place in Vietnam to see many of the different ethnic minorities.
Within moments of stepping from our bus you are sure to be ‘adopted’ by one of the delightful Black Hmong girls, who will enthusiastically wander around town with you showing you the weekend market and local sites.
If you feel like stretching your legs we’ll walk down valley, past terraced rice fields to a village nestled on the valley floor, which is home to many of the Hmong girls.
Meals - B,L,D
Day 3 - 4 Sapa
We head down the valley by foot or bike through highland villages and mountainous rice terraced terrain, with the option of an overnight village-stay, which gives a unique insight into their ancient subsistence lifestyle.
The highland women are adept embroiders and this is a great place to pick up wonderful handmade cotton textiles. Returning to Sapa, the balcony cafe of our guesthouse has the most spectacular views in town and is a fantastic place to dine and soak up the rural tranquility and lush environs.
On our final evening we return by train to Hanoi.
Meals - both B, L, D
Day 5 - 7 Hanoi – Halong Bay
After an early morning arrival and breakfast in Hanoi we board our private bus for the interesting trip to Halong City.
From here, we embark on our live-aboard Vietnamese ‘junk’ to explore spectacular Halong Bay. Studded with 1500 limestone islands rising sheer from the sea, its reputation as one of the natural wonders of the world, is well deserved and the bay has World Heritage status.
We encounter caves, hidden lagoons and floating villages. We can swim, sea kayak, relax on secluded beaches and have plenty of time to unwind. Our skipper guides us through the maze of twisting passages, and the wonderful crew serves us bountiful seafood feasts.
Meals - all B, L, D
Day 8 - 9 Hanoi
Hanoi is a beguiling and vibrant city steeped in history with a wonderful fusion of French colonial and Vietnamese architecture and cuisine.
We explore the colourful avenues of the ‘Old Quarter’, historically named for the goods they sold, and where today, everything imaginable is for sale – the shopping is incredible!
We visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum - where his embalmed body is housed in a similar manner to Lenin and Mao’s, and the tranquil Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university, while the Museum of Ethnography gives great insight into the minority people we met.
We’ll lunch at a restaurant that provides vocational training for orphans and ‘street kids’, and have the chance to shop at Craft Link, a fair trade handicraft organisation. One evening we enjoy the centuries old tradition of water puppetry. You will also have some free time to visit other museums, markets and dine at your choice of fantastic restaurants, cafes or street vendors.
Meals - B, L and B, D
Day 10 - 11 Hue
We take a short morning flight from Hanoi to Hue. Situated on the banks of the Perfume River and celebrated by Vietnamese poets for its romantic air and beauty, Hue was home to the Royal Dynasty until 1945.
On our first afternoon we’ll explore the city and local market by cyclo. The next day we take a wonderful tour of Hue’s countryside, chauffeured on motos, visiting emperors’ tombs, Buddhist pagodas and historic sites.
One evening we enjoy a delicious gourmet buffet and cultural performance at our hotel, the famed Saigon Morin. You will have time to relax by the hotel’s pool or enjoy a cocktail on its rooftop bar.
Meals - both B, L, D
Day 12 Hue - Hoi An
We travel the scenic coastal road by private bus to our favourite Vietnamese town, Hoi An.
En route we stop for a short walk up Marble Mountain to see caves and temples embedded in the rock.
We arrive in Hoi An in time for an early dinner at one of the town’s excellent restaurants - a great way to begin sampling the rich history and culture.
Meals - B, L, D
Day 13 - 14 Hoi An
Hoi An was an important trading port from the 17th-19th centuries. Wandering the streets, you really feel embraced by history.
The town now has UN World Heritage status and its profusion of old houses, quiet streets and covered bridge are being preserved and restored.
These days Hoi An is renowned for its diverse architectural heritage, masterful tailors, abundant silks and superb cuisine. Hoi An is also the ultimate place to have affordable clothes made to order.
There’s a gorgeous beach nearby and people-watching on the riverfront, cool drink in hand, is hard to beat. We get a real taste for the local culture with a great half-day cooking course in Vietnamese cuisine. While in Hoi An you will have some free time to relax at the beach, shop for a new outfit (or new wardrobe!) and dine at your choice of the town’s riverside cafés.
Meals - B, L and B
Day 15
Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
A short early morning flight south takes us to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), a city of stunning contrasts. We hail cyclos and zigzag our way to the War Remnants Museum, a sobering memorial to the Vietnam War, and then lighten up with a stroll around the unusual Presidential Palace and Ben Thanh - the central market and a great place to stock up on fine roasted coffee from the highlands.
Meals - B, L, D
Day 16 Saigon
Today you have the choice of visiting the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. These comprise over 250kms of tunnels where Viet Cong forces built pseudo-cities underground, enabling them to infiltrate and control large areas around Saigon virtually undetected. You’ll be able to experience, first hand, the claustrophobic existence.
On our return you’ll have free time to explore the lively district around our hotel and dine at your choice of restaurants. Alternatively, you may like to spend the day in Saigon and enjoy some great food, colourful street markets, a relaxing massage at the Blind Institute, and endless shopping options.
Meals - B
Day 17 Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta - Vietnam's 'rice bowl' - is one of the largest deltas in the world. We experience its fertile abundance and beauty as we explore by bicycle and boat visiting small farms and workshops on islands among its branching waterways and tributaries.
We’ll enjoy a wonderful lunch with a local family and a short siesta in hammocks amongst the lush flora. Back in Saigon for the night, we’ll share our final delicious dinner together and have plenty of time to reminisce about the great adventures we’ve shared.
Meals - B, L, D
Day 18 Saigon
Our journey concludes today and we are sure you will depart with a special affection for this intriguing country. Transfer to the airport and flight home.
Meals - B
Join us on:
4th-21st February 2009, 18 days, Cost: £1,800 / NZ$4,500 / US$3,700 - What's included?
Book here
now for the trip of a lifetime!
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